WRAL TechWire has been tracking the growth of the local startup scene through our exclusive Triangle Startup Guide. Today, we’re highlighting the guide’s list of local accelerators and mentorship programs.
This section of the guide targets early-stage startups seeking expert guidance and mentorship, business development training, introductions to investors and a way to test their prototypes as they prepare to launch. The list includes more than 40 local and regional programs open to entrepreneurs within the Triangle’s startup ecosystem.
WRAL TechWire’s Triangle Startup Guide features a list of accelerators and mentorship programs for early-stage startups.
The list features industry-specific programs like the Internet of Things-focused RIoT Accelerator Program, which recently welcomed its sixth cohort of IoT startups this fall, and the LexisNexis Legal Tech Accelerator, which hosted its fourth cohort in 2019.
A few university-affiliated accelerators are also included, such as the Duke Law Tech Lab, a program launched in 2016 from Duke University’s Center on Law & Tech, and the Duke Student Founder program, which launched last year and is now seeking applicants for its spring 2021 cohort.
The list also has a few programs that are new to the Triangle area. Washington, D.C.-based Pax Momentum recently expanded its eight-week mentorship and training program to the Triangle.
New startup accelerator looking for candidates in Triangle, offering $50K investments
The pandemic hasn’t stopped local accelerators and mentorship programs from pivoting to an increasingly digital environment. Many programs moved online earlier this year and are continuing with virtual programming for the foreseeable future.
Launch Chapel Hill, for example, moved its 2020 cohort online in March and will now run its 2021 cohort virtually from January to April.
Launch Chapel Hill’s new director presses ahead with accelerator’s growth despite COVID-19
Several programs have launched during the COVID-19 pandemic. The most recent newcomers are the 2021 FAST Cohort and Propeller Program—both run by RTP-based tech and life science incubator First Flight Venture Center (FFVC).
First Flight Venture Center lands $125K from SBA’s FAST Award program
Supported by a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration, FFVC’s FAST (Federal and State Technology) Program will select 35 live science companies to participate in a grant readiness evaluation boot camp and receive coaching from Eva Garland Consulting as they develop a competitive SBIR/STTR Phase 1 application. Companies have until Jan. 31 to apply to the program.
FFVC’s Propeller Program uses a design thinking framework to assist tech and life science ventures in identifying and communicating their value to potential investors, partners and customers. The NC IDEA Foundation-funded program was announced earlier this year.
If we missed a resource you think we should add to the Triangle Startup Guide, please feel free to submit it for inclusion. You can email me directly, tweet me @shannoncuthrell or use this contact form.
